Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
10574491 | Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry | 2005 | 8 Pages |
Abstract
The relationship between respiratory and neurological effects of exposure to aluminium (Al) was investigated in a group of foundry workers exposed to Al at concentrations below the threshold limit value (TLV) binding in Poland (2.0 mg Al2O3 mâ3). Neurological and neurophysiological parameters indicated subclinical effects of Al exposure on the nervous system. The measurement of serum anti-inflammatory Clara cell protein (CC16) was employed as a peripheral marker of the lung epithelium function. There was a strong inverse relationship between serum Al (Al-S) and CC16 concentrations (p = 0.006). The lowest CC16 concentrations were found in serum of workers characterised by subjective symptoms of the central nervous system (CNS) and abnormal results of neurophysiological examinations (EEG and VEP). Low serum CC16 concentrations and enhanced Al and iron (Fe) levels were also observed in the younger age group of workers with the subjective CNS symptoms and abnormal VEP results, which suggests that Fe is implicated in strengthening of the neurotoxic Al potential. The results of our study support the hypothesis that subclinical neurological symptoms (especially abnormal VEP) are most likely associated with internalisation of Al ions with lipid fractions of the lung epithelium, which in turn may help Al ions overcome the blood-brain barrier. Low serum CC16 concentrations (<10 μg Lâ1) were noted in workers with the abnormal results of neurological (CNS) and neurophysiological (EEG and VEP) examinations as well as with Al body burden manifested by urinary excretion (Al-U) below 60 μg Lâ1 and Al-S concentration of 2 μg Lâ1. This concentration may be considered as a threshold allowable biological concentration of aluminium.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Chemistry
Inorganic Chemistry
Authors
Tadeusz Halatek, H. Sinczuk-Walczak, K. Rydzynski,